Technical Support Manager

Experiencing together a unique human adventure

Animal health is key to the health of the planet. Working at Virbac means taking part in a unique human adventure in which the engagement of each individual contributes to its evolution. Encouraging internal mobility between positions and countries, offering individual development plans and building a partnership based on trust between managers and employees are as many perspectives of motivation for our teams. We also offer them a work environment conducive to exploring new territories and balancing their professional and personal lives. Finally, fostering their engagement to animal health also means listening to them and helping them to acquire new skills, preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow and encouraging them to contribute to an ever more responsible approach to our business.

Within the Virbac Commercial Framework, the role of Technical Service Manager - Farm Animals, is responsible for both Value Creation and Value Delivery, through contribution to new product and business development, the marketing plans and delivery of technical communication and training, diagnostic testing, trials and research and technical input to adverse experiences in order to support a 'trusted advisor' approach to sales and marketing with the effect of maximizing sustainable sales of Virbac products.

Value Creation within your own portfolio.

The Main activities to support this area of accountability:

• Propose concepts and provide inputs into the Strategic Marketing Planning Process required for the development of the Brand Plans
• Support the Marketing team with Marketing strategy and technical inputs required to support and develop the key brand positions as per the brand plan objectives.
• Develop marketing materials in collaboration with the Marketing team in order to realise the full potential of the key brands, in alignment with the brand plan objectives.
• Develop training materials required to create value for the key brands, for use at key internal training events.
• Propose and support the development of trials on the key brands aligned with product positioning, strategy and opportunities.
• Propose the development of research (literature / other), and implementation in order to support the key brands messages.
• Propose the development of Technical services required to support key brands and implement where applicable.

Expected Results: To create value by development and execution of activities that will support the Brand Planning process and deliver a strong technical leadership position for the key brands.

Value Delivery and support of the commercial Demand Generation strategy, for the Technical Team and own portfolio.

The Main activities to support this area of accountability:

• Develop and implement an annual Strategic Technical Optimisation Plan (STOP) for each region and species
• Develop quarterly execution plans based on the STOP document and methodology, built through analysis of key opportunities and threats for the major brands within each species and region.
• Deliver training and coaching to the sales team based on the STOP execution plan per quarter.
• Plan seminars and roadshows in collaboration with the Sales team and Marketing team based on quarterly focus areas in the Brand Plans and Sales T- Zones, and outlined in the STOP document, as part of the Demand Generation process.
• Develop and implement a KOL plan aligned with the Brand Plans to ensure engagement with KOL to support key messages in line with our core brand strategies.
• Attend key distribution (Wholesalers/ Vets/ Reseller groups) meetings and conferences to support technical arguments for key brands and include within the STOP document and quarterly actions.
• Train and coach the sales team to deliver on the technical strategies and messages aligned with the brand plans.

Expected Results: To deliver value to Virbac's brand plan objectives and demand generation strategies in the field through strategically defined activities, aligned with sales force opportunities and threats and needs.

Development and participation within Innovation & Business Development (IBD)

Main activities to support this area of accountability:

• Provide input as a key member of the IBD team, by actively searching for and evaluating the potential of new products and/or product improvements, innovations to expand/optimize Virbac's current product portfolio to meet the demands of our clients (farmers/vets). Support Business Development activities (eg VBRSA Taskforce) in developing a future sustainable pipeline of products to support the Virbac South Africa commercial strategy.
• Assist in organizing and verifying technical intelligence as well as business opportunities to be investigated to achieve the above-mentioned.
• Assist in performing regular market analysis in identifying possible gaps in Virbac's product portfolio

• Liaison with above stakeholders to:

• Develop and participate in the cross-functional development of the Stage Gate Process for IBD - within both sectors of new products and enhancement of existing products.

• Participate in Stage Gate discussions with Product Managers in new product development
• Ensure a technical handover is conducted with the Clinical and Regulatory team within 6 months of a new product launch.
• Identifies opportunities for and takes part in co-operative research programmes with internal and external research groups to build the product portfolio.
• Alignment with Virbac RSA's IBD including cross-functional collaboration with all parties, i.e. IO, RA, Commercial etc.
• Inclusion of the Technical Field Call Agenda during in field visits

Expected results: To build and maintain Virbac's reputation as Technical Leader through an aligned, highly informed and cross functionally supported IBD Team. To support the delivery of a profitable and relevant launch and product pipeline aligned with the commercial strategy

Technical input to Product Registrations and Adverse Events

Main activities to support this Accountability:

• Provide technical input into the management of Adverse Experiences and works with appropriate Product Manager, Area Sales Manager and Associate Technical Services Manager to ensure resolution and adherence to SOP
• Assist in defining, planning and overseeing R&D trials needed to register new products.
• Assist in defining, planning and overseeing Marketing trial needs as product support strategies (marketing trials) to illustrate ROI to customers and the business.
• Identifying and building work relations with service providers to achieve the above-mentioned.
• Identifies opportunities to participate in co-operative research projects with external groups (e.g. universities, Producer Organisations).

Expected results: To maintain excellent customer experience and support Virbac's strong image as Technical Leaders in the animal health market.

Requirements:

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science and registered with The South African Veterinary Council
• At least 5 years or more in Clinical mixed practice and in animal health &/or Veterinary Pharmaceuticals. Experience with farm animals is essential.

Know How: Job related skills required to complete activities:

• Good knowledge of the diagnosis and management of livestock and companion animal diseases (including Virbac and competitor products), and a good understanding of South African livestock production systems and/or companion animal veterinary practice.
• Sound understanding of the regulatory environment in which animal health products are used.
• Good knowledge of requirements and responsibilities involved when undertaking effective animal trial work
• Ability to work with a wide range of customers and stakeholders, with excellent skills in adjusting communications to suit the environment.
• Excellent knowledge of MS office suite of programmes; understanding of basic statistical concepts; mastery of web resources including APVMA website, industry and technical websites and literature search engines.
• Fluent in colloquial and technical English and Afrikaans, including good understanding of terminology used in companion animal veterinary practice and/or livestock production.

Skills/Competencies/Behaviors:

• Analyse problems and situations
• Knowledge of production animal systems/products
• Demonstrate the ability to anticipate and plan
• Demonstrate drive and results orientated
• Demonstrate customer focus
• Demonstrate team work and cross functional cooperation
• Communicate effectively
• Influence and persuade others to get own ideas accepted
• Negotiating
• Analyse and build relationships
• Dynamism
• Enthusiasm
• Scientific curiosity
• Design/implement/manage trials
• Analytical/reporting
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Public speaking
• Project/time management
• Adaptable
• Open to learn new skills
• Work under pressure/handle stress
• meet deadlines ,possess "make it happen"attitude and can handle difficult situations

Virbac provides numerous career opportunities, thanks to the diversity of its jobs and their international dimension.

Joining Virbac means joining dynamic teams ambitious for success.

Add Your Talent to Ours